Method and apparatus for the free-form optimization of bevel and hypoid gears

ABSTRACT

Method for the optimization of the surface geometry or of a variable, dependent on this, or variables, dependent on this, of bevel or hypoid gears for their production on a free-form machine which can be mapped to a free-form basic machine with at most six axes uniquely in a reversible way, even to symmetries, which has a gearwheel to be machined and a tool which are in each case rotatable about an axis, and the tool and the gearwheel to be machined are moveable, preferably displaceable or rotatable, with respect to one another along or about a plurality of axes, the optimization of the surface geometry or of the variable or variables, dependent on this, of the bevel or hypoid gearwheel taking place in that one or more control parameters, which has or have influence on the surface geometry or the variable or variables, dependent on this, of the bevel or hypoid gearwheel, is or are varied by means of a simulation of the gearwheel production process and/or a roll and/or a load-contact analysis on the free-form basic machine, until the surface geometry or the variable or variables, dependent on this, of the bevel or hypoid gearwheel thereby corresponds at least to a predetermined target value.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Divisional Application of Non-Provisionalapplication Ser. No. 11/451,637 entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THEFREE-FORM OPTIMIZATION OF BEVEL AND HYPOID GEARS”, to Hartmuth Müller,et al., filed on Jun. 13, 2006, claiming priority to ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 60/705,602 filed on Aug. 3, 2005; PCT ApplicationNo. PCT/EP2005/006485, filed Jun. 16, 2005; and PCT Application No.PCT/EP2005/006542, filed Jun. 17, 2005, which are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and a apparatus for thefree-form optimization of bevel and hypoid gears, to methods andapparatus for the production of thus optimized gears and to a method anda apparatus for the correction of already produced bevel and hypoidgears by means of free-form optimization.

In the manufacture of gears, in particular the manufacture of bevel andhypoid gears, the running properties and the stressing of such gears,such as, for example, their quiet running, nowadays have to satisfy everhigher requirements. These properties can no longer be achieved by meansof gears, such as can be manufactured, for example, on machines of anolder type of construction, since these machines do not affordsufficient possibilities for influencing the surface geometry of thegears in the light of modern increased requirements regarding runningproperties and stress.

To be precise, in these machines of an older type of construction,referred to below as non-free-form machines, in order to influence thegearwheel geometry, in particular the tooth geometry, there is in thefirst place only a selection of what are known as basic machine settingsavailable which each have a theoretical significance for the gearwheelto be produced. These basic machine settings in this case relate to whatis known as a basic machine which constitutes a mathematicallytheoretical model in relation to which all conceivable realnon-free-form machines can be uniquely mapped in a reversible way, thereal non-free-form machines mostly having fewer axes than the basicmachine (also referred to as a basic tooth-cutting machine), but eventhen, not all types of toothings can be manufactured.

An illustration of this basic machine and its basic machine settings isfound, for example, in Goldrich (Goldrich, “CNC Generation of SpiralBevel and Hypoid Gears: Theory and Practice”, The Gleason Works,Rochester, N.Y. 1990), although the significance of these is alsodiscussed in EP 0 784 525. Admittedly, the non-free-form machines of anolder type of construction, which are based on such a basic machine,have been modified, in the course of technical development, such that,in addition to the fixed axis settings mentioned, they also allowedcertain (additional) movements, such as modified roll and/or helicalmotion, but EP 0 784 525 also states why, at least in the view putforward there, the possibilities for surface geometry optimizationduring the use of a basic machine are nevertheless inadequate.

However, in the meantime, gearwheel production machines have also beendeveloped, which reduce the number of machine axes, as compared with abasic machine, to the necessary extent, so that a tool can be orientedin terms of a workpiece in such a way that a gearwheel can be produced.These machines have linear and pivot axes and axes of rotaion instead ofthe basic machine axes necessary for the basic machine settings, inorder to ensure the necessary degrees of positioning freedom forgearwheel production, and are also referred to as free-form machines(cf., in this respect, likewise the statements in EP 0 784 525, and alsoU.S. Pat. No. 4,981,402). Conventionally, such free-form machines haveup to six machine axes, specifically, preferably, three linear axes andthree axes of rotation, thus constituting a marked simplification inmechanical terms, as compared with a non-free-form machine based on themodel of a basic machine.

However, free-form machines of this type not only have a significantlysimpler construction than non-free-form machines in mechanical terms,but, furthermore, also afford a further fundamental advantage: withregard to the degrees of freedom made possible in this case, themachining of the workpiece is no longer tied to the, now historic, rigidtheoretical significance of the basic-machine axes for the gearwheel,but, instead, is, in principle, completely free and thus also makes itpossible, as compared with the basic machines, to generate moresophisticated gearwheel surface geometries, by means of which, forexample, the requirements as regards the gearwheel running propertiesand gearwheel stress, which were mentioned in the introduction and haverisen markedly in comparison with earlier times, can fundamentally beachieved.

For the free-form machines, too, there is in this case a theoreticalmodel, to be precise a free-form basic machine with at most six axes,which has a gearwheel to be machined and a tool which can in each casebe rotated about an axis, and the tool and the gearwheel to be machinedare moveable, preferably displaceable or rotatable, with respect to oneanother along or about a plurality of axes.

As regards terminology, the foregoing is to be taken as a summary and,for what follows, it is also to be stated, in advance, that, here, thispublication in each case designates

-   -   basic machine: as a model of non-free-form machines, in relation        to which all conceivable real non-free-form machines can be        uniquely mapped in a reversible way, even to symmetries, and in        which each machine axis has a significance in toothing theory,    -   non-free-form machine: as a real machine of an older type of        construction, in which a selection of what are known as basic        machine settings of the basic machine is available, which in        each case have a theoretical significance for the gearwheel to        be produced, but in which all the machine axes of the basic        machine do not necessarily even actually have to be present in        real terms,    -   free-form basic machine: as a model of free-form machines with        at most six axes, which has a gearwheel to be machined and a        tool which are in each case rotatable about an axis, and the        tool and the gearwheel to be machined are moveable, preferably        displaceable or rotatable, with respect to one another along or        about a plurality of axes and can be uniquely mapped in relation        to the free-form machines in a reversible way, even to        symmetries, and    -   free-form machine: as a real machine which has linear and pivot        axes and axes of rotation instead of the axes of the basic        machine which are necessary for the basic machine settings, in        order to ensure the necessary degrees of positioning freedom for        gearwheel production (these having conventionally, but not        necessarily, up to six machine axes, specifically, preferably        three linear axes and three axes of rotation).

In particular, in this connection, it is to be pointed out that the term“basic machine” is used only in the above sense and not, for example, asa generic term (in particular, not even as a generic term for free-formbasic machines). Furthermore, here and further on, mapping betweenmachines is understood as meaning the mapping of all possible movementsof one machine in relation to movements of the others, that is to saynot just the mapping of an actual implementation of a production method.

Thus, for example, the prior art according to Krenzer (Krenzer, T.,“Neue Verzahnungsgeometrie für Kegelräder durch Schleifen mit kegeligenTopfscheiben [‘Flared Cup’ Verfahren]” [“New Toothing Geometry for BevelWheels by Grinding with Conical Cup Wheels [‘Flared-Cup’ method]”] in:Theodore J. Krenzer: CNC Bevel Gear Generators and Flared Cup FormateGear Grinding. The Gleason Works, Rochester, N.Y., 1991) fundamentallydiscloses the influence which a suitable control of the axes of such afree-form machine can exert, for example, on the contact-patternimprovement of a gearwheel (a property essentially determining therunning properties of a gearwheel). However, this flared-cup method is astraightforward forming method in which use is made of the fact that thespecial tool touches the workpiece wheel in only one line in the profileheight direction. This made it possible as it were to “test” the simplemonocausal relations, given here, of the forming process in terms of theeffect of the respective variation in the control of only a single axisin each case.

The prior art also makes use of this fundamental finding in that itattempts to use these additional degrees of freedom for correcting thesurface geometry of bevel or hypoid gears, for example by means of themethod for production of tooth-flank modifications according to EP 0 784525.

A way of tooth-flank modification of the gears in question here isproposed in EP 0 784 525. In more general terms, this presents a methodfor modifying the surface geometry of such gears, in which, first, thebasic machine settings to be originally selected only fixedly for theentire production process in terms of their value are replaced by basicmachine setting functions, whereby the value of the basic machinesetting can vary during the process of producing the gearwheel, as aresult of which, according to the statements of this publication, it isto be possible to modify in a targeted manner the tooth flank andconsequently the surface geometry of the gearwheel. This is to takeplace such that the functional variations described above are convertedon the theoretical basic machine there, by means of a method known, forexample, from U.S. Pat. No. 4,981,402, to a free-form machine which thencarries out the actual gearwheel generation.

According to the statements in EP 0 784 525, therefore, this procedureaffords the possibility of conducting gearwheel design calculations andconsiderations of theoretical significance for the gearwheel, which arebased on the theoretical basic machine model, but at the same time,likewise according to the presentation there, also of providingadditional freedoms in gearwheel development, in that all the basicmachine axes, which could previously be set only fixedly (statically),are used as functionally variable (active) settings during the processof producing the gearwheel, the intention of this being to allow theabovementioned model of the basic machine and its transformation to afree-form machine.

The additional possibilities, fundamentally afforded according to thealready mentioned article by Krenzer (see above), and in any caserelating only to the special “Flared-Cup method”, of the free-formmachine for optimizing the surface geometry of a bevel or hypoidgearwheel are thus, according to EP 0 784 525, to be utilized by way ofa theoretical basic machine with basic machine settings functionallyvariable during the production process and by way of its subsequenttransformation to the free-form machine.

This procedure has the disadvantage, however, that it uses amultiplicity of redundant control parameters for optimization in theform of the coefficients of the functions mapping the axial movements,since the theoretical basic machine always has more axes than thefree-form machine. The result of this is that, because of theseparameters, optimization is unnecessarily difficult as a result of theseredundancies. Thus, for example when numerical optimization methodsemploying Jacobi matrices are used, in the case of such redundantparameters there are regularly linear dependences, leading to singularJacobi matrices, thus resulting in an optimization task which issubstantially more difficult to master in numerical terms (cf., also,Nocedal, J. and Wright, S. J., “Numerical Optimization”, Springer Seriesin Operations Research, New York, 1999) than if it were based on regularJacobi matrices, such as occur when non-redundant parameters are used.

This procedure therefore has room for improvement in view of thesignificance of the optimization method for gears which require the saidoptimization of their surface geometry, for example in terms of thecurrently markedly increased requirements, already mentioned in theintroduction, with regard to the running properties; this is alsoparticularly because the original theoretical significances of themachine axes no longer have such importance with regard to thisoptimization of the surface geometry and may therefore be dispensed within favour of an improvement in optimization.

For such an improvement, however, a method would be required which makesit possible to carry out optimizations of the surface geometry of bevelor hypoid gears directly on the free-form machine, that is to say, inparticular, without going by way of the model of the basic machine, inorder thereby to avoid the abovementioned disadvantages. Such a methodhas not hitherto been known according to the prior art.

On the contrary, the methods employed hitherto according to the priorart are all based on the basic machine with its basic machine settingswhich in each case have a theoretical significance for the gearwheel tobe produced:

Thus, for example, findings in toothing theory, with investigations bysimulation of, for example, the influence of the parameters on the flankform or the ease-off (cf., also, Wiener, D., “Örtliche3D-Flankenkorrekturen zur Optimierung spiralverzahnter Kegelräder”[“Local 3D Flank Corrections for the Optimization of Helically ToothedBevel Wheels”] in: Seminar Documentation “Innovationen rund urnsKegelrad” [“Innovations around the Bevel Wheel”], WZL, RWTH Aachen 2001,but also Stadtfelt, H. J., “The Universal Motion Concept for Bevel GearProduction”, in: Proceedings of the 4^(th) World Congress on Gearing andPower Transmission, Volume 1, Paris 1999, pp. 595-697) or, for example,the influence on load contact properties (cf., also, Simon, V., “OptimalMachine Tool Setting for Hypoid Gears Improving Load Distribution”, ASMEJournal of Mechanical Design 123, December 2001, pp. 577-582) arecombined, in order to derive suitable algorithms for the configurationof the gearwheel surface geometry.

Also, according to the prior art (cf., for example, Gosselin, C.;Guertin, T.; Remond, D. and Jean, Y., “Simulation and ExperimentalMeasurement of the Transmission Error of Real Hypoid Gears Under Load”,ASME Journal of Mechanical Design Vol. 122, March 2000, or Gosselin, C.;Masseth, J. and Noga, S., “Stock Distribution Optimization in FixedSetting Hypoid Pinions”, Gear Technology July/August 2001), aNewton-Raphson method is employed in order to carry out flankcorrections or special flank adaptations, hence gearwheel geometrymodifications or optimizations. However, in this sensitivity-basedoptimization, only the fixed basic machine settings are varied, in orderto achieve flank-form modifications at most of 2^(nd) order.

Probably the latest development in the field of the application ofmodern optimization techniques for gearwheel optimization is thepublication “Automatisches Differenzieren im Maschinenbau-Simulation undOptimierung bogenverzahnter Kegelradgetriebe” [“AutomaticDifferentiation in Mechanical Engineering-Simulation and Optimization ofSpirally Toothed Bevel Wheel Transmissions”] by 0. Vogel et al. (Vogel,O., Griewank, A., Henlich, T. and Schlecht, T., “AutomatischesDifferenzieren im Maschinenbau-Simulation und Optimierungbogenverzahnter Kegelradgetriebe” [Automatic Differentiation inMechanical Engineering-Simulation and Optimization of Spirally ToothedBevel Wheel Transmissions”], in: Conference Volume “DresdnerMaschinenelemente Kolloquium-DMK2003” [“Dresdner Machine ElementConference-DMK2003”], TU Dresden 2003, pp. 177-194).

As already mentioned, however, all the aforesaid methods always relateto the control of the basic machine with its basic machine settings andtheir respective significances in toothing theory. This is to beexplained against the historic technical background of the procedure ofthe engineers designing gears who in this case aim at exactly thesevariables with gearwheel-theoretical significance. Such a procedure isalso perfectly useful for the basic design of gears, that is to saythose gears which have no modifications in their geometry, as comparedwith the basic forms thereby achievable, since in this case, on the onehand, the theoretical relation originating from the imagination of aperson skilled in the art continues to exist, and, on the other hand,the above-mentioned disadvantages do not occur.

For the use of the numerical optimization methods, however, contrary tothe opinion according to the prior art (cf., inter alia, EP 0 784 525B1, there, for example, paragraph number [0016] and [0023]), thistoothing-theoretical significance is ultimately completely irrelevant;this is if only because, simply due to the multiplicity of parameters, aperson skilled in the art can no longer conclude, from the result of anyoptimization taking place on a free-form basic machine, what is actuallytaking place in the production process as a result of these parameters.A toothing-theoretical reference of the machine model used is thereforeinconsequential if only for this reason.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is, therefore, to specify a methodand a apparatus for its implementation, which make it possible to carryout optimizations of the surface geometry of bevel or hypoid gearsdirectly on the free-form basic machine, that is to say, in particular,without going by way of the model of the basic machine, whichoptimizations can then be mapped directly to a real free-form machinefor the purpose of the production or correction of bevel or hypoidgears.

This object is achieved, according to the invention, by means of amethod for the optimization of the surface geometry or of a variable,dependent on this, or variables, dependent on this, of bevel or hypoidgears for their production on a free-form machine which can be mapped toa free-form basic machine with at most six axes uniquely in a reversibleway, even to symmetries, preferably bijectively, even to symmetries,

which has a gearwheel to be machined and a tool which are in each caserotatable about an axis, and the tool and the gearwheel to be machinedare moveable, preferably displaceable or rotatable, with respect to oneanother along or about a plurality of axes,the optimization of the surface geometry or of the variable orvariables, dependent on this, of the bevel or hypoid gearwheel takingplace in that one or more control parameters, which has or haveinfluence on the surface geometry or the variable or variables,dependent on this, of the bevel or hypoid gearwheel, is or are varied bymeans of a simulation of the gearwheel production process and/or a rolland/or a load-contact analysis on the free-form basic machine, until thesurface geometry or the variable or variables, dependent on this, of thebevel or hypoid gearwheel thereby corresponds at least to apredetermined target value.

In this context, the statement that the free-form machine can be mappeduniquely to a free-form basic machine with at most six axes in areversible way means that the mapping of the free-form basic machine tothe free-form machine is unique.

Furthermore, this object is achieved by means of a computer system forthe optimization of the surface geometry of bevel or hypoid gears,having at least one data processing unit and at least one memory, whichcomputer system is characterized, according to the invention, in thatthe data processing unit is set up, in program terms, such that itoperates by the method according to the present invention.

The present invention thus also overcomes the previous incorrect notionthat surface geometry optimization, in particular a tooth-flank geometrymodification of the gears in question here can be mastered only by meansof a method which operates on the basic machine and not on the free-formbasic machine, since it requires the toothing-theoretical significanceof the individual machine axes.

In a particularly preferred embodiment according to the presentinvention, where the free-form machine can be mapped onto a free-formbasic machine with at most six axes one-to-one, even to symmetries, andthe free-form machine and free-form basic machine correspond to oneanother in axis type and axis arrangement, there is, moreover, theadvantage that direct fault-cause analysis can be carried out for thefree-form machine on the basis of the free-form basic machine. Thus, forexample, the influence of typical axial errors, such as, for example,oscillations, on the gearwheel geometry can be investigated bysimulation, in that errors of this type are taken into account in thefunctional modelling of the axial movements. Furthermore, even with theaid of the optimization carried out according to the present inventionof deviations in the generated flank geometry which are due to machinefaults can be attributed to the axial movements causing thesedeviations. In other words, deviations in the tooth geometry which occurdue to typical axial errors can be assigned uniquely to the machine axescausing them, thus affording considerable advantages from points of viewof production, for example in terms of quality assurance.

The use of the (conventional) basic machine for purposes of simulationand optimization does not allow such a procedure, since, firstly,typical axial errors of the free-form machine cannot be assigneduniquely to the axes of the basic machine on account of the redundanciesand, secondly, because of the deviation in axis type and axisarrangement, the possible error of an axis of the free-form machine hasto be represented by complex movements of a plurality of axes of thebasic machine which would have to be modelled in a correspondinglycomplicated way. Moreover, a fault cause thus determined, whereappropriate, in the model of the basic machine would also have to betransformed to the model of the free-form machine.

It is also to be emphasized that the optimization carried out hereaccording to the present invention can serve both for the firstoptimized manufacture of gears and for the subsequent correction ofalready manufactured gears. Particularly in the last instance, it doesnot matter, in this case, whether the first manufacture took placewithout optimization, by means of the optimization according to thepresent invention or else by means of another optimization.

Preferably, the method according to the invention for the optimizationof the surface geometry or a variable, dependent on this, or variables,dependent on this, of bevel or hypoid gears is designed such that theoptimization of the control parameter or of the control parameters takesplace for a free-form basic machine with six axes, preferably three axesof rotation (A, B, C) and three linear axes (X, Y, Z), these preferablybeing:

-   the A-axis for tool rotation,-   the B-axis for the rotation of the gearwheel to be produced,-   the C-axis as an axis of rotation for setting the angle between the    A-axis and B-axis or between the B-axis and tool-tip plane,-   the X-axis as a linear axis in the A-axis direction,-   the Y-axis as a linear axis which forms a right system with the    X-axis and Z-axis, and-   the Z-axis as a linear axis in the direction of the common    perpendicular of the A-axis and B-axis.

A (theoretical) free-form basic machine with six axes makes all sixdegrees of freedom of movement available for the free-form optimization,so that the freedoms of modern free-form machines can be utilized. Itconsequently makes available a model which allows all conceivabledegrees of freedom for positioning the workpiece and tool with respectto one another, but at the same time presupposes, for this purpose, asfew machine axes as possible. The above-described in each case threelinear axes and three axes of rotation have proved particularlyimplementable in practice.

In this case, to explain their fundamental interaction, the axialmovements preferably behave, for example, as follows:

The tool (A-axis) rotates independently at the angle of rotation a. Themovement of all the other axes is coupled to the abstract commandvariable t. This command variable t passes through an interval [t₁, t₂]with t₁≦t₂. Where continuously dividing methods are concerned, theworkpiece wheel rotation (B-axis), that is to say the rotation of thegearwheel to be produced, is likewise dependent on the tool angle ofrotation a although the modelling of this part-movement b_(T)(a) willnot be considered in any more detail here.

In this case, for further illustration, the functional dependences ofthe individual axes are, for example, explicitly as follows:

A-axis: a X-axis: x (t) B-axis: {tilde over (b)} (t, a) = b (t) + b_(T)(a) Y-axis: y (t) C-axis: c (t) Z-axis: z (t)

The illustration of the dependence of t and a has been based here on thecurrently existing methods for bevel wheel production. For rollingmethods, the command variable t is a further independent variable. Inorder to represent forming methods in the model, t may be interpreted asa variable dependent on a, for example t(a)=a.

It is also conceivable, in principle, to couple not only the movement ofthe B-axis, but also the movement of further axes to the A-axis. Inpractice, however, this seems somewhat problematic, since relativelyhigh-frequency periodic oscillations would then have to be superposed onthe present axes.

However, particularly with regard to the axial movements to beinfluenced by means of machine control parameters, it must be borne inmind, in principle, that, in the method according to the invention foroptimization of the surface geometry of bevel or hypoid gears, not onlymachine control parameters, but also tool setting parameters may serveas control parameters. In this case, a pressure angle which is providedpermanently on or in the tool and is generated, for example, duringknife grinding may also be such a tool setting parameter, specificallyin the same way as those parameters which can be varied during thesetting of the knife head.

However, a particularly preferred embodiment of the method according tothe present invention relates to one in which at least one machinecontrol parameter for the control of at least one machine axis also atleast serves as a control parameter, and in this case it must beremembered, with regard to the control, that here, within the frameworkof optimization, first the axis of the free-form basic machine, that isto say of a simulation model, serving for simulation is controlled.

In principle, the functional dependence of the movement of an axis onthe command variable t may be described by any desired continuous (as arule, continuously differentiable) function. In this case, inparticular, the constant function is also permissible in order todescribe a “fixed” axis. As will also be seen later, functions definedpiecewise (in segments or at intervals) may also be considered here, forexample in the use of splines.

In view of the optimization aimed at here, however, such a function mustbe provided with parameters which can be employed in order to configurethe functional relation. Consequently, v_(j)(t) (as a function of t)will represent in each case one of the functions b(t), c(t), x(t), y(t),z(t) which relate to the axes B, C, X, Y and Z (see above) dependent ont. The v-axis is accordingly spoken of.

The movement of an axis is therefore ultimately defined by the values ofthe parameters of the function assigned to it and dependent on t. Inorder to express the dependence on these parameters, for example for thev-axis, the function v_(j)(t,P_(j)) is written instead of v_(j)(t),P_(j) being the vector of the parameters of the function of the axis j.

Preferably, therefore, optimization takes place by a variation of thecontrol parameter or control parameters for such a free-form basicmachine, the axial movements of which are synchronized with one anotherby means of at least one, preferably continuous, particularly preferablycontinuously differentiable mathematical function for axis controlv_(j)(t,P_(j)), preferably for the control of the machine axis number j,one of the machine axes itself or a virtual axis in this case generatinga command variable t and thus serving as a master axis at least for thepositioning of the other axes which are functionally dependent on thiscommand variable t and on the parameters contained in a parameter vectorP_(j) assigned to the respective function, and at least also a parameterP_(j), from the parameter vector P_(j) of at least one of themathematical functions v_(j) which synchronize the axial movements beingused as a control parameter.

A virtual axis is understood in this context to mean a master axis forother axes which is to synchronize these other axes, but does not itselfcorrespond to any mechanical axis in the model of the free-form basicmachine and also does not serve for the direct control of one or moremechanical axes in this model.

The synchronization of the axial movements may also take place by meansof a plurality of mathematical functions in differing segments, thesegments being given by intervals of t, for example as [t_(m),t_(n)]with t_(n)>t_(m).

A particularly preferred embodiment of the method for the optimizationof the surface geometry or of variables, dependent on this, of bevel orhypoid gears according to the present invention is in this casecharacterized in that the synchronization of the axial movements takesplace by means of additively superposed mathematical functions, thesuperposition being particularly preferably of the form

v _(j)(t,p _(j))=v _(j) ¹(t,P _(j) ¹)+v ₁ ²(t,P _(j) ²)+ . . . +v _(j)^(l)(t,P _(j) ^(l))

with l≧11. This is a hybrid model consisting of additively superposedsubmodels, where the formulation used for the movements of theindividual axes within a submodel is in each case to be the same.

With the aid of a hybrid model configuration of this type, in thefree-form optimization according to the present invention, there can bea jump to a “tailored” submodel, depending on the aim of theoptimization strategy. If appropriate, according to this, submodels maygradually be added, starting from a start model. Thus, for example, apolynomial formulation may be mixed with a spline formulation (cf., inthis respect, also Müller, H., Wiener, D. and Dutschk, R., “A ModularApproach Computing Spiral Bevel Gears and Curvic Couplings”, in:Proceedings of the 4th World Congress on Gearing and Power Transmission,Volume 1, Paris 1999, pp. 531-540), this document also being included inthe disclosure content of the publication here by reference.

Preferably, at least, a polynomial of any desired, preferably sixthorder may be used as a mathematical function v_(j) for axial-movementsynchronization, the respective coefficients p_(j) _(i) of thepolynomial v_(j) serving as control parameters.

This is probably the most customary formulation, such as is typicallyemployed also in conventional machine models with additional movementsaccording to the prior art.

It is in principle highly suitable for achieving overall optimizationeffects in the surface geometry of the gearwheel, such as themodification of flank angle, spiral angle or else the longditudinalcurvature.

In a further preferred embodiment of the method for the optimization ofthe surface geometry or of a variable, dependent on this, or variables,dependent on this, of bevel or hypoid gears according to the presentinvention, at least also a series expansion based on Chebyshevpolynomials as basic functions is used as a mathematical function v_(j)for axial-movement synchronization, preferably in an interval [t₁,t₂]with t₁>t₂ as a function of the form

v _(j)(t,P _(j))=p _(j) ₀ +p _(j) ₁ T ₁({tilde over (t)})+p _(j) ₂ T₂({tilde over (t)})+ . . . +p _(j) _(i) T _(i)({tilde over (t)})+ . . .+p _(j) _(dv) T _(d) _(v) ({tilde over (T)})

with P_(j)=(p_(j) ₀ , p_(j) ₁ , p_(j) ₂ , . . . p_(j) _(i) , . . . ,p_(j) _(dv) ) and i=1, . . . , d_(v), and also

${\overset{\sim}{t} = {{2\frac{t - t_{1}}{t_{2} - t_{1}}} - 1}},$

T_(i) in each case representing a Chebyshev polynomial and therespective coefficients p_(j) _(i) of the series v_(j) being used ascontrol parameters.

Chebyshev polynomials are highly suitable, for example, for making itpossible to carry out transformations with sufficient accuracy from abasic machine model into an illustration of the free-form machine,preferably of the 6-axis machine, released from the basic machinesettings of the said basic machine model together with its respectivetheoretical significance for gearwheel geometry, this being useful forthe case of a basic design of a gearwheel, the surface geometry of whichis also to be optimized accordingly.

Moreover, in terms of good numerical solvability of the optimizationproblems, the Chebyshev polynomials are to be preferred as basicfunctions, as compared with the monomial basis in the (Taylor)polynomials normally used. The use of the monomial basis leads, with arising order, to virtually singular and poorly conditioned Jacobimatrices which are detrimental to numerical solvability. This effect isavoided by the orthogonality of the Chebyshev polynomials.

Furthermore, at least, for example, also a spline function, which isformed from polynomials, preferably of the third degree, mergingcontinuously one into the other, may be used as a mathematical functionv_(j) for axial-movement synchronization, and the respective splinecoefficients may be used as control parameters (cf., in this respect,also Bronstein, I. N., Semendjajew, K. A., Musiol, G. and Mühlig, G.,“Taschenbuch der Mathematik” [“Manual of Mathematics”], 5th Edition,Frankfurt am Main 2001, pp. 955-960; and also Golub, G. and Ortega, J.M.; “Scientific Computing-Eine Einführung in das wissenschaftlicheRechnen und Parallele Numerik” [“Scientific Computing-An Introduction toScientific Computation and Parallel Numerics”], Stuttgart, 1996), thesedocuments also being included in the disclosure content of thepublication here by reference.

The use of such splines, preferably cubic splines, is particularlysuitable for achieving local optimization effects in the surfacegeometry of the gearwheel.

It may also be pointed out, at this juncture, that, for the purposes offault-cause analysis, the axial movements may be supplemented by specialsubmodels (cf. above regarding the additive superposition of variousfunctions V_(j) ^(k) to form an axial function v_(j)). Thus, forexample, a truncated trigonometric series (Fourier series) may also beused as a function v_(j) ^(k) for axial-movement synchronization, theFourier coefficients, but also the period, serving as controlparameters.

A further embodiment of the method according to the invention isdistinguished in that the optimization of the surface geometry or of avariable, dependent on this, or variables, dependent on this, of thebevel or hypoid gearwheel takes place in that the control parameter orcontrol parameters, which has or have influence on the surface geometryor the variable or variables, dependent on this, of the bevel or hypoidgearwheel, is or are varied by means of a numerical optimization method,until the surface geometry or the variable, dependent on this, of thebevel or hypoid gearwheel thereby corresponds to at least onepredetermined target value.

In principle, as regards the numerical optimization method, thefollowing may first be noted: each optimization problem can be put, forexample, into the following form:

A target function which it is intended to minimize: f(p)→min!, thefollowing at the same time applying:

G(p)<=0 (inequality constraints)and H(p)=0 (equality constraints)and also I<=p<=u (lower and upper bounds)p are in this case the parameters.

Details particularly of the numerical optimization methods addressedhere are found in J. Nocedal and S. J. Wright (cf. also Nocedal, J. andWright, S. J., “Numerical Optimization”, Springer Series in OperationsResearch, New York, 1999, this document also being included in thedisclosure content of the publication here by reference). In the presentcase, there are generally problems of non-linear optimization withconstraints; appropriate methods must therefore also be adopted, forexample an SQP method.

The numerical optimization can preferably take place, in detail, asfollows:

The design variables to be optimized, that is to say the surfacegeometry or variable or variables, dependent on this, of the respectivebevel or hypoid gearwheel can be determined by simulation calculationson the basis of, for example, a 6-axis model, as also stated later.

In this case, there is a direct functional dependence between the modelparameters (see also FIG. 6 of this publication here, from which it maybe gathered which variables depend on which) and the design variables,that is to say the variables to be optimized. This dependence isdefined/given directly by the simulation method (preferably, in thepresent case, as a computer program) and can be calculatedquantitatively in the form of sensitivities. These can be determined bymeans of divided differences as a simple, but not the best means, or byautomatic differentiation (AD), as explained in more detail below.

The sensitivities describe what influence each individual parameter hason each of the target variables in the linearized model. In mathematicalterms, these are the derivatives of the output variables (designvariables) of the simulation calculation with respect to the inputvariables (parameters). These are necessary for target optimization byuse of modern numerical methods.

In order to carry out expedient optimization according to the presentinvention, the objective should be expressed mathematically in the formof an (as a rule) non-linear optimization problem. For this purpose,first, all the design variables involved (variables to be optimized)must be expressed mathematically, that is to say, for example, curvesand surfaces must be suitably parameterized or, for example, contactpatterns must be expressed quantitatively in suitable form. Second, forthe design variables considered at the same time, preferably targetvariables in the form of target functions with constraints must bedefined. The constraints may in this case be formulated as equalityconstraints and inequality constraints.

An example may illustrate this: an optimization of the flank form of thetooth flanks is to take place, with the tooth thickness beingmaintained. In this case, the deviation of the flank form from a desiredflank form may be quantified by the sum of the squares of the deviationson a grid. This variable is then minimized as a target function, theconstant tooth thickness, for example, being considered as an equationsecondary condition which may be integrated, for example, as a penaltyterm into the target function.

The shaping of the ease-off may likewise also be used as an optimizationaim, taking into account an upper bound for the maximum rolling error(transmission error). Further suitable optimization aims are presentedin the further statements.

Thus, by suitable formulation of expedient optimization problems, theoptimization method according to the present invention leads totechnically reasonable results, that is to say to gears having a desiredconfiguration in technical terms.

That is to say, first, the target design can, of course, be achievedexactly only if it is not too far away from the initial design,preferably is to be optimized only locally, and if it can actually beimplemented at all. Otherwise, by the method according to the invention,at least as good an approximation as possible to the desired aim isnevertheless obtained, whilst, in the case of local optimizationmethods, it should not be concealed that there is occasionally the riskof achieving an only local optimum here.

Second, it is also expedient that technically senseless solutions mustbe ruled out by constraints. Thus, for example, it is not sufficient todefine a target-flank form and to optimize in respect of this, but atthe same time not pay attention to the tooth thickness or tooth depth.

A derivative-based method may in this case be used as a numericaloptimization method, in which case, to calculate the derivatives(sensitivities), for example, a difference/quotient method may beemployed, which is therefore highly computation-intensive and possiblyinaccurate. For this purpose, however, the method of automaticdifferentiation is preferably adopted, which is substantially moreefficient (cf., in this respect, also Griewank (Griewank, A.,“Evaluating Derivatives. Principles and Techniques of AlgorithmicDifferentiation”, Philadelphia, SIAM, 1999); and Vogel, O., Griewank,A., Henlich, T. and Schlecht, T., “Automatisches Differenzieren inMaschinenbau-Simulation und Optimierung bogenverzahnterKegelradgetriebe” [“Automatic Differentiation in MechanicalEngineering-Simulation and Optimization of Spirally Toothed Bevel WheelTransmissions”], in: Conference Volume “Dresdner MaschinenelementeKolloquium-DMK2003” [“Dresden Machine Element Colloquium-DMK2003”], TUDresden 2003, pp. 177-194; but also Vogel, O., “Accurate Gear ToothContact and Sensitivity Computation for Hypoid Bevel Gears”, in:Corliss, G., Faure, C., Griewank, A., Hasco{tilde over (e)}t, L. andNaumann, U. (publishers), “Automatic Differentiation of Algorithms-FromSimulation to Optimization”, New York 2002, these documents also beingincluded in the disclosure content of the publication here byreference). Use is made, in this case, of the fact that the function tobe differentiated consists of elementary arithmetic operations andfunctions, the derivatives of which are in themselves simple tocalculate. The derivative as a whole is then calculated, in parallelwith the evaluation of the function itself, during the application ofthe derivation rules. Thus, a derivative which is accurate, apart fromrounding errors, is obtained. c.f. also Preuβ et al. (Preuβ, W.,Wenisch, G., “Numerische Mathematik” [“Numerical Mathematics”], Munich,Vienna 2001, p. 234).

According to the method for the optimization of the surface geometry orof a variable, dependent on this, or variables, dependent on this, ofbevel or hypoid gears according to the present invention, theoptimization of the surface geometry takes place at least also

-   -   by means of the form of the tooth flanks, for example also        including the gearwheel root, this preferably being carried out        such that the method of the least error squares is applied to        the deviations from a predetermined geometric desired structure        of the tooth-flank geometry, preferably with respect to a        2-dimensional grid, in order to determine whether the form of        the tooth flank corresponds to the predetermined target value,    -   (note: method of the least error squares is to be understood        here and below as meaning that the sum of the respective error        squares is to be used as the optimization target value,        preferably to be minimized; see, in this respect, also Nocedal        and Wright (Nocedal, J., Wright, S. J., “Numerical        Optimization”, Springer Series in Operations Research, New York,        1999), this document also being included in the disclosure        content of the publication here by reference),    -   by means of the tooth thickness and tooth height,    -   by means of the ease-off topography, this preferably being        carried out such that the method of the least error squares is        applied to the deviations from a predetermined ease-off        topography, preferably with respect to a 2-dimensional grid, in        order to determine whether the ease-off topography corresponds        to the predetermined target value,    -   also by means of the rolling error, this preferably being        carried out such that the rolling error is monitored with        respect to a predetermined maximum value, or else the method of        least error squares is applied to the deviations from a        predetermined rolling-error function, preferably with respect to        a 1-dimensional grid, in order to determine whether the rolling        error corresponds to the predetermined target value,    -   also by means of the contact-pattern position, this preferably        being carried out such that the method of the least error        squares is applied to the deviations of the form and/or of the        centre position of the actual contact pattern from a contact        pattern predetermined as a contour line in an ease-off        topography cleared of the rolling error, preferably with respect        to a 1-dimensional grid, in order to determine whether the        contact pattern corresponds to the predetermined target value,        or else the method of elliptic approximation is used for this        purpose,    -   by means of the profile of the contact path    -   by means of the flank clearance and tip clearance, and/or    -   by means of the tensions or pressures dependent on the surface        geometry.

Preferably, the specification of the optimization problem also includesthe selection of the control parameters (parameters), which may alsocomprise the selection of preferably one, but also a plurality ofsubmodels (cf., in this respect, the above statements regarding thesynchronization of the axial movements by means of additively superposedmathematical functions).

Further optimization possibilities, also in terms of globally orientedoptimization strategies, are afforded by the possibility of using whatare known as genetic algorithms.

These work, generally, on the basis of a random initial selection of aquantity of control parameters, what is known as a population, theelements of which are subjected in each case to what is known as afitness test, that is to say a test as to whether a parameter vector ofthe elements of this quantity leads to a result leading to theoptimization aim.

If no search has yet been found, then the quantity is subjected to aprobabilistic process of what is known as genetic reproduction and whatis known as genetic crossover leading to new parameter vectors which areadded to the quantity. Previous elements of the population may in thiscase even be dispensed with. A new population generation, as it isknown, thus occurs, which may be subjected, in turn, to the test,initially mentioned, as to whether, for example, one of its members,that is to say, here, a control-parameter vector, is sufficiently “fit”to solve the set optimization problem. For a more detailed design ofthese methods known according to the prior art, reference may be made byway of example to John R. Koza, “Genetic Programming” (Koza, John A.,“Genetic Programming”, MIT, Cambridge, Mass., USA 1992, regarding theprinciple of “Genetic Programming”, in particular pp. 76f.), thispublication also being included in the disclosure content of thepublication here by reference.

A preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention for theoptimization of the surface geometry or of a variable, dependent onthis, or variables, dependent on this, of bevel or hypoid gears ischaracterized in that the simulation of the production process takesplace by means of intersection calculation (cf., in this respect,Beulker, K., “Berechnung der Kegelradzahngeometrie” [“Calculation ofBevel-Wheel Tooth Geometry”], FVA issue 301, ForschungsgemeinschaftAntriebstechnik e.V., 1997, a publication which is also included in thedisclosure content of the publication here by reference), although,alternatively, this may also take place by means of an analytic methodbased on an enveloping condition, that is to say a toothing law (cf., inthis respect, Hutschenreiter U., “A New Method for Bevel Gear ToothFlank Computation”, in: Berz, M., Bischof, C., Corliss, G. and Griewank,A. (eds) “Computational Differentiation-Techniques, Applications, andTools”, Philadelphia, SIAM 1996, a publication which is likewiseincluded in the disclosure content of the publication here byreference).

The free-form basic machine, preferably with six axes, like any otherpossible kinematic model, describes a relative movement between tool andworkpiece wheel (gearwheel to be machined) as a function of a commandvariable. This relative movement is described by mathematical maps(formulae) and can therefore be evaluated, that is to say calculated, inthe same way as any derivative information required. There is thereforenothing to prevent a simulation of the production process of a bevel orhypoid wheel.

The result is then the exact gearwheel geometry: the generated toothflanks (including the root) are typically represented in the form offlank grids, that is to say in punctiform manner. By means of thesimulation, geometric variables, such as the tooth thickness, toothheight, curvatures, spiral angle and flank angle, etc., can also bedetermined. The predetermined (or desired) theoretical values of thesetoothing variables are known. The actual exact values can be determinedfrom the calculated tooth flanks and should then lie as near as possibleto the theoretical values.

During the roll simulation/tooth-contact analysis, the input data aretypically the exact gearwheel geometry of wheel and pinion, determinedin the production simulation, and further parameters (possibly alsodisplacements, etc.) which describe the gearing. The tooth-contactanalysis (TCA) results in each case for pull and push pairing in theease-off (punctiform on a grid), the roll deviation (=rolling error),contact patterns and contact paths on the associated tooth flanks.

Moreover, from the roll simulation, variables, such as flank clearanceand tip clearance, can be determined, which may be incorporated, forexample, in constrains for optimization.

As illustrated by O. Vogel (cf. Vogel, O., Griewank, A. and Bär, G.,“Direct Gear Tooth Contact Analysis for Hypoid Bevel Gears”, in:Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering 191 (2202), pp.3965-3982, a publication which is also included in the disclosurecontent of the publication here by reference), the results of thetooth-contact analysis may likewise be characterized analytically,without tooth flanks previously being determined. This affords aparticularly suitable way of calculating efficiently the sensitivitiesrequired for optimization.

A subsequent load-contact analysis based on the calculated tooth-flankand tooth-root geometry and on the contact properties (mismatchdimensions) delivers the pressures occurring on the tooth flank and thetooth-root tensions. Furthermore, the rolling error under load, thecontact temperatures and the efficiency of the toothing can bedetermined, all these being variables which may be incorporated as limitvalues or secondary conditions into the optimization.

It is important to emphasize that, irrespective of whatever iscalculated, all the variables depend, in particular, on specificparameters of the free-form basic machine, preferably in the 6-axisembodiment. These parameters are therefore to be used for optimization.For this purpose, however, an optimization problem in the abovementionedsense must be specified.

On the basis of the method for the optimization of the surface geometryor of a variable, dependent on this, or variables, dependent on this, ofbevel or hypoid gears according to the present invention, it is thenalso possible, building on this, to specify a method for the productionof bevel or hypoid gears with optimized surface geometry, which ischaracterized in that

a basic design of the respective bevel or hypoid gearwheel for a basicmachine is carried out, in which each machine axis has a basic machinesetting with a theoretical significance for the gearwheel, thispreferably taking place by means of the methods known for this purposeaccording to the prior art (cf. also the standard ANSI-AGMA 2005-C96 orANSI-AGMA 2005-D05 or the Klingelnberg House Standard KN 3029 No. 3,“Auslegung von HYPOID-Getrieben mit KLINGELNBERGZYKLO-PALLOID-VERZAHNUNG” [Design of HYPOID Gears with KLINGELNBERGCYCLO-PALLOID TOOTHING”], this document also being included in thedisclosure content of the publication here by reference),a transformation of the settings of the basic design for the basicmachine to the settings of a free-form basic machine with at most sixaxes is carried out, the latter having a gearwheel to be machined and atool which are in each case rotatable about an axis, and the tool andthe gearwheel to be machined are moveable, preferably displaceable orrotatable, with respect to one another along or about a plurality ofaxes,at least one target value for surface geometry or a variable, dependenton this, or variables, dependent on this, of the bevel or hypoidgearwheel are determined,a method for the optimization of the surface geometry or of a variable,dependent on this, or variables, dependent on this, of bevel or hypoidgears according to the present invention is carried out,the control parameter obtained from this or the control parametersobtained are mapped to a free-form machine which can be mapped to thefree-form basic machine with at most six axes, preferably bijectivelyeven to symmetries, andthe free-form machine is controlled in order, by means of the tool, toremove material from the bevel or hypoid gearwheel to be machined, usingthe mapped control parameter or the mapped control parameters, so as toobtain the optimized surface geometry.

The method described above is, of course, dependent on whether thetransformation of the basic design, which is of course obtained for thebasic machine, to the free-form basic machine can be carried out.

Three possibilities of how this may take place are to be indicated hereby way of example:

In the case of the use of (Taylor) polynomials for axis synchronizationon the free-form machine (see above), a transformation of the settingsof the basic machine into settings of the free-form machine can becarried out in an elegant way with the aid of Taylor arithmetics(forward calculation of Taylor series) (cf., in this respect, alsoGriewank, A., “Evaluating Derivatives-Principles and Techniques ofAlgorithmic Differentiation”, Frontiers in Applied Mathematics, Volume129, SIAM 2000, this document also being included in the disclosurecontent of the publication here by reference).

For this purpose, all the (machine) settings of the basic machine areinterpreted as variables dependent on the command variable (in this casethe roll angle) and are modelled correspondingly in the command variableby means of a Taylor polynomial. This transformation, known, forexample, from U.S. Pat. No. 4,981,402, is then not carried out, asproposed there, in punctiform manner with the pure numerical values inconventional arithmetics, but, instead, by Taylor polynomials in Taylorarithmetics. Consequently, instead of the fixed punctiform axissettings, Taylor polynomials, that is to say functions for the axiscontrol, are obtained directly. The result of this transformation is,where appropriate (this depends on the axis configuration and on theproduction method), only an approximation. More precisely, the movementof the basic machine and that of the free-form machine do not coincideexactly. However, using an order control, the required accuracy over theentire interval [t₁,t₂] can be ensured. The achievement of sufficientaccuracy is in this case very easily possible, since typically |t|<1 andtherefore the influence of the Taylor coefficients diminishes with arising order. As a result of this procedure, as compared with the merelypunctiform transformation according to U.S. Pat. No. 4,981,402, which,of course, is also used in EP 0 784 525, a parameterized functionalillustration of the movement of the axes is obtained again. This affordsthe advantage of the possible further utilization of thisrepresentation, for example in connection with optimization.

For an approximate description of functions over an entire interval,Chebyshev approximations are particularly suitable (cf., in thisrespect, also Bronstein, I. N., Semendjajew, K. A., Musiol, G. andMuhlig, G., “Taschenbuch der Mathematik” [“Manual of Mathematics”], 5thEdition, Frankfurt am Main 2001, pp. 947-948, this document also beingincluded in the disclosure content of the publication here byreference). As compared with the abovementioned model transformations bymeans of Taylor arithmetics, as regards an only approximately possibletransformation, a reduction in the required order is to be expected whena Chebyshev approximation is used. The determination of the Chebyshevapproximation may take place by means of known algorithms (Chebyshevapproximation or regression), for example on the basis of the punctiformtransformation from U.S. Pat. No. 4,981,402 (cf., in this respect, alsoJudd, K., “Numerical Methods in Economics”, MIT Cambridge Mass., 1998,this document also being included in the disclosure content of thepublication here by reference).

A further possibility, then, is also to interpret the settings of thebasic machine, preferably P^(K0)={P_(i),P_(j),Σ,S,X_(b),X_(p),E_(m),RA,q_(m)} (that is to say, the settings: toolinclination [preferably cutter-head or grinding-wheel inclination](tilt), inclination orientation (swivel), machine root angle, tooleccentricity or radial, depth feed, distance of machine centre to axisintersection point, machine axis offset, roll ratio, cradle angle) asthe parameters of the assigned submodel of the free-form machine.

Thus, for each axis of the free-form machine, the proportional movementresulting from this submodel can be exactly determined in punctiformmanner, for example, with the aid of the punctiform transformation fromU.S. Pat. No. 4,981,402. The algorithm carried out in this casedescribes a functional relation, that is to say may be interpretedabstractly as a function which describes the proportional movement ofall the axes of the free-form machine. In this way, therefore, thesettings of the basic machine can be integrated into the model of thefree-form basic machine, for example in order to enable a person skilledin the art, who knows this better, to have a further possibility forexerting influence after free-form optimization according to the presentinvention has already been carried out in a submodel preferred for thispurpose.

This amalgamation of the basic machine and free-form basic machine inone model, with the possibility of carrying out production simulation,is a further advantage of the present invention, the possibility ofwhich has hitherto been disputed by the experts, for example in EP 0 784525.

In general, it must be said, regarding the transformation process of thebasic design from the basic machine to the free-form machine, that, ofcourse, machine settings for all four flanks of a gearwheel pairing arealways determined.

On the basis of the method for the optimization of the surface geometryor variables, dependent on this, of bevel or hypoid gears according tothe present invention, it is then also possible, building on this, tospecify a method for the correction of bevel or hypoid gears withoptimized surface geometry, which is characterized in that,

for an already manufactured bevel or hypoid gearwheel, for which one ormore control parameters, which has or have influence on the surfacegeometry or the variable or variables, dependent on this, of the bevelor hypoid gearwheel, has or have already been determined for thefree-form basic machine,at least one target value for the surface geometry or a variable,dependent on this, or variables, dependent on this, of the bevel orhypoid gearwheel is predetermined,the method for the optimization of the surface geometry or of avariable, dependent on this, or variables, dependent on this, of bevelor hypoid gears according to the present invention is carried out, andthe new control parameter obtained from this or the new controlparameters obtained is or are mapped to a free-form machine which can bemapped to a free-form basic machine with at most six axes, preferablybijectively, andthe free-form machine is controlled in order, by means of the tool, toremove material from the bevel or hypoid gearwheel to be machined, usingthe mapped control parameter or mapped control parameters, so as toobtain the optimized surface geometry.

As already mentioned in the introduction, the method according to theinvention for the optimization of the surface geometry or of a variable,dependent on this, or variables, dependent on this, of bevel or hypoidgears may also be carried out on a computer system with at least onedata processing unit and with at least one memory, normally, forexample, as a computer program, the latter having the correspondinginstructions which are set up for carrying out the method. Such acomputer program may in this case take any form, but, in particular,also be a computer program product on a computer-readable medium, suchas, for example, a floppy disc, CD or DVD, at the same time having acomputer program code means, in which, in each case after the loading ofthe computer program, a computer is induced by the program to carry outthe method according to the invention. It may, however, also take theform, for example, of a computer program product which has a computerprogram on an electronic carrier signal, in which, in each case afterthe loading of the computer program, a computer is induced by theprogram to carry out the method according to the invention.

From the above-described individual different elements of the presentinvention, as seen in entirety, a gearwheel production and/or correctionsystem for the production or correction of bevel or hypoid gears forcooperation can also be assembled, specifically with

-   -   a computer system for the optimization of the surface geometry        of bevel or hypoid gears, with at least one data processing unit        and with at least one memory, the data processing unit being set        up in program terms such that it operates according to a method        for the optimization of the surface geometry or variables,        dependent on this, of bevel or hypoid gears, and    -   a free-form machine with at most six axes, which has a gearwheel        to be machined and a tool which are in each case rotatable about        an axis, and the tool and the gearwheel to be machined are        moveable, preferably displaceable or rotatable, with respect to        one another along or about a plurality of axes,    -   and which is controlled in order, by means of the tool, to        remove material from the bevel or hypoid gearwheel to be        machined, so as to obtain the optimized surface geometry,        specifically using a control parameter mapped onto the free-form        machine or control parameters mapped onto the free-form machine,        which is or are determined by means of the computer system.

Preferably, the gearwheel production and/or correction system for theproduction or correction of the bevel or hypoid gears has a computersystem with a storage unit (floppy disc drive, CD drive, DVD drive orelse a chip-card or USB/memory-stick unit) for writing the controlparameter or control parameters on a data carrier, or a transmissionunit for transmitting the control parameter or control parameters, andthe free-form machine with at most six axes has a read unit for readingthe data carrier having the control parameter or control parameters or areception unit for receiving the control parameter or controlparameters. The control parameter or control parameters can therebytravel from the computer system to the 6-axis machine for the control ofthe latter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention which are not to beunderstood restrictively are discussed below, with reference to thedrawing in which:

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a general 6-axis model of a tooth-cuttingmachine (free-form basic machine) and the coordinate systems relevant inthis case,

FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic illustration of a preferred embodiment ofthe method according to the present invention,

FIG. 3 shows a diagrammatic illustration of a further preferredembodiment of the method according to the present invention,

FIG. 4 shows a diagrammatic illustration of part of a preferredembodiment of the method according to the present invention forsimulating the production of a bevel or hypoid gearwheel (pinion or ringgear),

FIG. 5 shows a diagrammatic illustration of a further part of apreferred embodiment of the method according to the present inventionfor simulating the rolling, hence the tooth-contact analysis,

FIG. 6 shows a diagrammatic illustration of the fundamental influence ofparameters on the surface geometry of bevel or hypoid gears and of theresulting influence on the contact geometry, and

FIG. 7 shows a diagrammatic illustration of part of a preferredembodiment of the method according to the present invention for initialparameter configuration (initial settings).

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a general 6-axis model of a tooth-cuttingmachine (free-form basic machine) and the coordinate systems relevant inthis case. The coordinate systems Σ₁ to Σ₇ are used to describe therelative movement of the tool in relation to the workpiece.

The coordinate system Σ₇ is connected fixedly to the tool. It rotateswith respect to Σ₆ mathematically positively about the common x-axis atthe angle of rotation a. The axis of rotation x₆=x₇ points into thetool.

The coordinate system Σ₁ is connected fixedly to the workpiece. Itrotates with respect to Σ₂ mathematically positively about the commony-axis at the angle of rotation b. The axis of rotation y₂=y₁ pointsinto the workpiece.

The 3 linear axes X, Y and Z form a righthand coordinate system. Therelative position of Σ₆ to Σ₂ is illustrated here in the figure and isdescribed exactly by the following transformations:

r ₁ =D ₂ ^(T)(b)r ₂ , r ₂ =D ₂(b)r ₁,

r ₂ =D ₃ ^(T)(c)r ₃ , r ₃ =D ₃(c)r ₂,

r ₃ =r ₄ +|x 0 0|^(T) , r ₄ =r ₃ −|x 0 0|^(T),

r ₄ =r ₅+|0 y 0|^(T) , r ₅ =r ₄−|0 y 0|^(T),

r ₅ =r ₆+|0 0 z| ^(T) , r ₆ =r ₅−|0 0 z| ^(T),

r ₆ =D ₁(a)r ₇ , r ₇ =D ₁ ^(T)(a)r ₆.

This results, overall, in the transformation r₁=Ar₇+a with

A=D ₂ ^(T)(b)D ₃ ^(T)(c)D ₁(a),

a=D ₂ ^(T)(b)D ₃ ^(T)(c)[x y z] ^(T)

Conversely, the transformation r₇=Ār₁+ā is obtained, with

Ā=D ₁ ^(T)(a)D ₃(c)D ₂(b),

ā=−D ₁ ^(T)(a)[x y z] ^(T)

In this case, the 3×3 matrices D₁(a), D₂(b) and D₃(c) designaterotations in each case about the x-, y- and z-axis of a coordinatesystem at the angles of rotation a, b and c respectively.

FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic illustration of a preferred embodiment ofthe method according to the present invention.

On the basis of given machine settings for the free-form basic machineand the model of the free-form basic machine, a simulation calculationis carried out in order to determine relevant design variables, such as,for example, the flank form and the tooth thickness. This simulationcalculation comprises, depending on the design variables to bedetermined, the production simulation and also contact analysis andload-contact analysis. Such a load-contact analysis is possible, forexample, according to the prior art, by means of the program BECAL whichis used within the framework of the KIMOS system developed by thecompany Klingelnberg and which comes from the ForschungsvereinigungAntriebstechnik (FVA).

By modifications for the design variables being stipulated, a desireddesign is defined, this including the stipulation of secondaryconditions to be adhered to. For example, the target which is pursuedmay be a tooth form modified within a certain scope, with the currenttooth thickness being maintained. With the aid numerical methods of, asa rule, non-linear optimization, modified machine settings for thefree-form basic machine are determined, which at least approximatelyimplement the desired design. The quality of this approximation dependsessentially on the good nature of the formulated target. This processmay be repeated as often as required. The relevant machine settings forthe first and, if appropriate, only pass are obtained from the designcalculation according to FIG. 7 (initial machine settings).

FIG. 3 shows a diagrammatic illustration of a further preferredembodiment of the method according to the present invention.

What is shown is the typical data flow of iteratively operatingderivative-based optimization methods, that is to say a concretizationof the step “Optimization by means of Numerical Methods” according toFIG. 2. The current machine settings of the free-form basic machine(note: these are always the settings for all four flanks!) implement anactual design which is quantified by means of simulation calculations.The comparison of the actual design with the desired design leads todeviations. If these deviations are acceptable, the iterativeoptimization method is successfully discontinued. Otherwise, in what isknown as the optimization step, new machine settings are determined fromthe current machine settings and the deviations determined from these,with the aid of the sensitivities, and then become the current machinesettings. To determine the sensitivities (derivatives), the simulationcalculation may be extended correspondingly. Further information on thisis found in O. Vogel et al. (Vogel, O., Griewank, A., Henlich, T. andSchlecht, B., “Automatisches Differenzieren im Maschinenbau-Simulationund Optimierung bogenverzahnter Kegelradgetriebe” [“AutomaticDifferentiation Mechanical Engineering-Simulation and Optimization ofSpirally Toothed Bevel Wheel Transmissions”] in: Conference Volume“Dresdner Maschinenelemente Kolloquium-DMK2003” [“Dresdner MachineElement Colloquium-DMK2003”], TU Dresden 2003, pp. 177-194), thisdocument also being included in the disclosure content of thepublication here by reference.

In order to ensure a termination of the method even in the case ofproblems which can be solved only poorly or not at all, as a rule,further stopping criteria are used, which will not be referred to herein any more detail. See, in this respect, also Nocedal and Wright(Nocedal, J., Wright, S. J., “Numerical Optimziation”, Springer Seriesin Operations Research, New York, 1999), this document also beingincluded in the disclosure content of the publication here by reference.

FIG. 4 shows a diagrammatic illustration of part of a preferredembodiment of the method according to the present invention forsimulating the production of a bevel or hypoid gearwheel (pinion or ringgear).

It illustrates that, on the basis of the machine settings of a free-formbasic machine and the tool settings, a production simulation for agearwheel can be carried out. The result of this production simulationis the exact gearwheel geometry which comprises the tooth flanks(including the tooth root) as a flank grid, and also variables, such asthe tooth thickness and tooth height.

FIG. 5 shows a diagrammatic illustration of a further part of apreferred embodiment of the method according to the present inventionfor simulating the rolling, hence the tooth-contact analysis.

It is illustrated that a roll simulation/tooth-contact analysis iscarried out by means of the exact gearwheel geometry of pinion and ringgear, obtained by production simulation, and gearing parameters, such asangle between axes and centre distance of axes, but also displacements.In this case, both a single and a multiple meshing of the teeth may beconsidered. The roll simulation/tooth-contact analysis results not onlyin the variables, such as ease-off, contact pattern and rolling error,which is described in the contact geometry, but also variables, such astip and flank clearance. The contact geometry and also the exactgearwheel geometry constitute the relevant variables for theload-contact analysis, not illustrated here.

Furthermore, as regards the optimization target variables, it should benoted: the clearance variables are also not to be seen merely asscalar/punctiform variables. Thus, in the case of the tip clearance, andalso as regards the rolling error, either, for example, the minimum tipclearance or the tip clearance along the entire tooth may be considered.

FIG. 6 shows a diagrammatic illustration of the fundamental influence ofparameters on the surface geometry of bevel or hypoid gears and of theresulting influence on the contact geometry.

FIG. 7 shows a diagrammatic illustration of part of a preferredembodiment of the method according to the present invention for initialparameter configuration (initial settings).

In the basic design of bevel and hypoid gearwheel transmissions, thebasic geometry of pinion and ring gear is determined, for example, onthe basis of construction size, transfer ratio and torque. Thesubsequent calculation of associated machine and tool settings takesplace, here, on the principle of a basic machine, so that, first,machine settings for this basic machine are obtained. These are thentransformed into machine settings of the free-form basic machine, but,in the case of a mixed model, are integrated only as settings(parameters) of the corresponding submodel.

1-42. (canceled)
 43. A method for the production of a bevel or hypoidgear with optimized surface geometry comprising the steps of: modeling abasic design of the respective bevel or hypoid gearwheel for a basicmachine, in which each machine axis has a basic machine setting with atheoretical significance for the gearwheel, transforming the settings ofthe basic design for the basic machine to the settings of a free-formbasic machine with at most six axes, the latter having a gearwheel to bemachined and a tool which are in each case rotatable about an axis, andthe tool and the gearwheel to be machined being displaceable orrotatable with respect to one another along or about a plurality ofaxes, predetermining at least one target value for a variable orvariables dependent on surface geometry of the bevel or hypoid gear,obtaining design values for the variable or variables dependent onsurface geometry by at least one of a gearwheel production processsimulation of the free-form basic machine, and a roll simulation of adesign surface geometry produced by the simulation of the gearwheelproduction process; determining new free-form basic machine settingsbased on comparison of each design value to the target value for thecorresponding variable; repeating the steps of obtaining design valuesand determining new settings until at least one of the variable orvariables corresponds to the predetermined target value; mapping the newsettings to control parameters for a free-form machine which can bebijectively mapped to the free-form basic machine with at most six axes,the former having a gearwheel to be machined and a tool which are ineach case rotatable about an axis, and the tool and the gearwheel to bemachined being displaceable or rotatable with respect to one anotheralong or about a plurality of axes; and controlling the free-formmachine according to the control parameters in order, by means of thetool, to remove material from the bevel or hypoid gearwheel to bemachined, so as to obtain the optimized surface geometry.
 44. The methodaccording to claim 43, wherein the roll simulation includes at least oneof a tooth-contact analysis and a contact-load analysis.
 45. A methodfor correcting surface geometry of an already manufactured bevel orhypoid gearwheel bevel or hypoid gears, using a a free-form machine,having a first tool and a first gearwheel to be machined, that can bebijectively mapped to a free-form basic machine with at most six axes,the latter having a second gearwheel to be machined and a second toolwhich are in each case rotatable about an axis, and the second tool andthe second gearwheel to be machined being displaceable or rotatable withrespect to one another along or about a plurality of axes, for which oneor more control parameters, which has or have influence on the surfacegeometry, or on a variable or variables dependent on the surfacegeometry, has or have already been determined, the method comprising thesteps of: obtaining design values for the variable or variablesdependent on surface geometry by at least one of a gearwheel productionprocess simulation of the free-form basic machine, and a roll simulationof a design surface geometry produced by the simulation of the gearwheelproduction process; determining new free-form basic machine settingsbased on comparison of each design value to the target value for thecorresponding variable; repeating the steps of obtaining design valuesand determining new settings until at least one of the variable orvariables corresponds to a corresponding predetermined target value;mapping the new settings to the free-form machine; and controlling thefree-form machine according to the new settings in order, by means ofthe first tool, to remove material from the first gearwheel to bemachined, so as to obtain the optimized surface geometry.
 46. A computersystem for the optimization of the surface geometry of bevel or hypoidgears, with at least one data processing unit and with at least onememory, characterized in that the data processing unit is set up, inprogram terms, such that it operates by the method according to claim43.
 47. A computer-readable medium encoded with instructions forconfiguring a computer to carry out the method according to claim 43.48. A system for production or correction of a bevel or hypoid gearsurface geometry, comprising: a computer system for optimizing thesurface geometry, with at least one data processing unit and with atleast one memory, the data processing unit being set up in program termssuch that it operates according to a method wherein one or more controlparameters, which has or have influence on the surface geometry, or on avariable or variables dependent on the surface geometry, is or arevaried—by means of a simulation of a gearwheel surface geometry producedby the free-form basic machine and at least one of a roll simulation, atooth-contact analysis, or a contact-load analysis regarding thesimulated gearwheel surface geometry—until at least one of the dependentvariable or variables thereby corresponds to a predetermined targetvalue; and a free-form machine with at most six axes, which has agearwheel to be machined and a tool which are in each case rotatableabout an axis, the tool and the gearwheel to be machined beingdisplaceable or rotatable with respect to one another along or about aplurality of axes, and which is controlled according to the one or morecontrol parameters determined by means of the computer system in order,by means of the tool, to remove material from the bevel or hypoidgearwheel to be machined, so as to obtain the optimized surfacegeometry.
 49. The system according to claim 48, wherein the computersystem has a storage unit for writing the one or more control parameterson a data carrier, or a transmission unit for transmitting a signalhaving the control parameter or control parameters, and wherein thefree-form machine has a read unit for reading the data carrier or areception unit for receiving the signal.